I've written a number of essays about travels that have remained unpublished because I ran out of steam. One needs to have an enormous amount of faith and confidence in their work in order to make it through the whole process of tedious manuscript revision dozens of times over, and then stomach the lengthy solicitation process. With new travels and new territory to cover, I can't always keep up the same energy for the past. Here are a few essays that never quite made it to the final stages, and yet I have a certain fondness for them. So I've brought some out of the attic, so the speak, to post here on my blog where I have the freedom to post whatever I want! Most of the pieces here from China I wrote for an ethnographic documentary ... the project, a book, didn't quite pan out, so I've decided to give some of the chapters exposure here on my blog. To read my published essays, see my writing website HERE or by pressing the pretty blue "Literary SKJ" button above.

The Warmth of Hospitality in Rural China location China. Experiencing the amazing hospitality of villagers in Dang Jiashan village, where people who have the least give the most, and the unforeseen conundrums this presented.

At Night in the Loo location around the world. I've had to use an outdoor loo in the middle of the night in various places all over the world. While it's tough to drag myself out of bed, inevitably there is the glorious silver lining of the spectacular night skies and the clarity of thought that comes with them.

My Only Prayer location China. First place winner in the Spiritual category of the WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest. Trying to take a warm shower at a hostel near the Labrang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Xiahe, China, provides perspective on the wants and needs of pilgrims who come to the monastery to have their prayers heard. (so contrary to the intro paragraph, this one was published)

The Earthen Heart: Traditional Farming in a Chinese Village location China. Written from my personal experiences staying in a small village, a look at traditional farming methods in northern China and the history behind some of practices used today and the evolution from the Cultural Revolution.

The World Inside: Blind Musicians in China location: China. location: China. I witnessed the performance of a traditional blind musician. Influenced by the movie, Life on a String, the experience caused me to ponder our inner worlds, and the world inside of me, in particular ... does it match what is on the outside?

Tofu for String Quartet location: China. This essay won an "honorable mention" at the Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference, but I haven't followed up to see it published. (again with the steam issue) It's a piece I particularly like, though. I witnessed the traditional method of making tofu in a Chinese peasant village -- a process I had absolutely no clue about until I experienced it!

Vignette of an Old Womanlocation: China. I met a peasant woman with bound feet, the last generation of women to suffer this monstrosity. She was a paper cutter and a special soul.

Approaching Davidlocation: Italy. My unexpected reaction to the famous statue in Florence, Italy.

Passenger location: Ireland. The strange little world I fall into as a passenger while my husband drives the rental cars on our sightseeing journeys.

Riding with Rigas location: Greece. Erik and I spent a few adventurous days riding motorcycles with crazy friends in Greece. This is about the only essay I've had published as a straight-forward narrative sans my typical weird metaphorical platforms, and it was published in Prick of the Spindle. I added some photos and present to you here at SKJtravel.

Amantani location: Peru. A night I spent on Amantani Island in the middle of the Peruvian side of Lake Titikaka. A night of dancing and unbelievable stars. (and a bit of Cusquena)

Updates

Subscribe to the SKJ
Travel newsletter to be
notified when new posts
are added to the blog.